Leather vs Textile jackets
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 153
From: Fayetteville, NC
Maybe its my 12" mini apes....but I can't seem to keep the wind from "balooning" my textile jacket. The jacket isn't too big, fits snug, has the wrist velcro closures, has velcro closures at the bottom of the jacket and one around the neck. When I tighten up all of those things....the air still gets in and baloons it up......If I put on gaunlet style gloves, it does prevent the air from coming in the sleeves---but its not always cold enuf for those.
Maybe I'll give it another try when it gets cooler....r u guys wearing gauntlet style gloves with textile?
Maybe I'll give it another try when it gets cooler....r u guys wearing gauntlet style gloves with textile?
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 832
Likes: 6
From: Vermont
I wear gauntlet style when it's around 60* or less or when it's raining. Otherwise it's HD perforated leather gloves.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 3,176
From: Central Indiana
Do the textile/cordura jackets block the wind as good as leather? Are they as warm and has anyone tried or have both? I am wanting a jacket that is warm and will keep the wind out. I just recently bought two leather jackets with removable Thinsulate liners for me and her. They are kind of heavy and very bulky to pack. I don't mind the weight at all while I am wearing it but biggest issue is just the bulk of them. Just wanting something that is warm and easier to pack and was looking at the textile jackets but I don't want to give up much warmth. In the spring and fall, we will ride in temps down into the 30's and have rode in the 20's. Thanks.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 153
From: Fayetteville, NC
[QUOTE=Woodchuck;13024506]I wear gauntlet style when it's around 60* or less or when it's raining. Otherwise it's HD perforated leather gloves.[/QUOTE
When you wear the perforated leather gloves (non-gauntlet), do you get the balloon effect? I'll test it again one day....maybe soon..just to see
When you wear the perforated leather gloves (non-gauntlet), do you get the balloon effect? I'll test it again one day....maybe soon..just to see
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 832
Likes: 6
From: Vermont
[/QUOTE
When you wear the perforated leather gloves (non-gauntlet), do you get the balloon effect? I'll test it again one day....maybe soon..just to see[/QUOTE]
Never had that problem; probably due to the mini-apes like you said. I'd ditch the jacket and keep the bars though!
When you wear the perforated leather gloves (non-gauntlet), do you get the balloon effect? I'll test it again one day....maybe soon..just to see[/QUOTE]
Never had that problem; probably due to the mini-apes like you said. I'd ditch the jacket and keep the bars though!
Banned
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 936
Likes: 21
From: Paying taxes in New York State
we have one closet in our house that is just riding jackets - leather and textile. Haven't worn any of the leathers in years.
1) HD "functional" textile jackets, are for the most part, crap. (excluding the fxrg but you get what you pay for). Most of the HD jackets I've tested had enough failures/issues to make it not suitable for its intended purpose. If I had to recommend one, it would be the illumination functional jacket - but not the pants - i've tested both - Jacket is acceptable but pants failed miserably
2) As a result of #1, I've moved away from Harley branded. My daily is an Olympia Motosport Airglide 3 (the 4 is out now). the Airglide 3 is a mesh jacket that comes with a 2 stage liner. Liner #1 is a windproof/waterproof liner. Liner #2 is a full sleeve quilted liner. Jacket can be worn without liners, or with one liner or both liners. and Surprisingly, with both liners it is not that bulky. Jacket also comes with full elbow, shoulder and back armor (love how HD jackets come with pockets for armor but you have to purchase separately in most cases.).
so, to answer you question about wind, the olympia air glide, with the wind/waterproof liner will keep the wind out. however, in mid-summer, i prefer not to keep it out so remove the liner and it is a mesh jacket with armor.
1) HD "functional" textile jackets, are for the most part, crap. (excluding the fxrg but you get what you pay for). Most of the HD jackets I've tested had enough failures/issues to make it not suitable for its intended purpose. If I had to recommend one, it would be the illumination functional jacket - but not the pants - i've tested both - Jacket is acceptable but pants failed miserably
2) As a result of #1, I've moved away from Harley branded. My daily is an Olympia Motosport Airglide 3 (the 4 is out now). the Airglide 3 is a mesh jacket that comes with a 2 stage liner. Liner #1 is a windproof/waterproof liner. Liner #2 is a full sleeve quilted liner. Jacket can be worn without liners, or with one liner or both liners. and Surprisingly, with both liners it is not that bulky. Jacket also comes with full elbow, shoulder and back armor (love how HD jackets come with pockets for armor but you have to purchase separately in most cases.).
so, to answer you question about wind, the olympia air glide, with the wind/waterproof liner will keep the wind out. however, in mid-summer, i prefer not to keep it out so remove the liner and it is a mesh jacket with armor.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,598
Likes: 3
From: 27°51' N, 082°17' W
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 403
Likes: 14
From: Tennessee
I commute to work 20 min. year round and have use both leather and textile jackets. Nothing I've tried works better than my Tourmaster Transitions jacket. All I wear underneath the jacket is my normal work golf shirt. Some have commented that leather blocks wind completely (which is true) but it also transfers heat away from your body way faster than textiles which requires a very good/bulky liner. My 20 min. commute to work in 20 degrees requires nothing more that the Tourmaster jacket, Tourmaster overpants, and PolarTec gloves. My hands will be cold by the time I get to work, but bearable. IMO, riding longer in those temps would require heated gear of some sort for the hands.